Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls city officials unveiled a preliminary assessment of the impact of a chamber-sponsored street water slide event, which could use from 80,000 to 100,000 gallons of water in a 12-hour period.

Special to The Highlander

The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce has vowed to reboot the formerly shelved Lakefest Drag Boat Race event for 2020 due to renewed partnerships with an alternative drag boat association and the Marble Falls community, officials said.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The new executive director for the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce will start his new job today, bringing with him extensive experience in managing hundreds of volunteers for large events, officials said.

Jarrod Metzgar, his wife Heather and their two children had already lived in the Marble Falls community for more than a year and a half when he applied for and earned the job.

“We did have some other great candidates who were local, but not with his experience level,” said Chamber President Taylor Smith.

Metzgar previously worked for 10 years with Extraco Events Center, formerly the Heart 'O Texas Fair Complex, where he served as vice president.

“He's got experience managing large events. They had a large event every year,” Smith said. “He was responsible for managing 450 volunteers.”

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce will be seeking new leadership following the resignation announcement by the entity's executive director.

On Dec. 10, Patti Zinsemeyer submitted her letter of resignation to the chamber members.

“It is with great sadness and gratitude for her years of service that we announce the resignation of Patti Zinsmeyer,” the announcement read. She has spent her tenure “giving everything she could to make our wonderful spot in the Hill Country a better place.”

Her resignation is effective Dec. 31.

Zinsmeyer worked for the chamber for nearly five years, first as tourism director and then in the top leadership position.

Music, carnival rides, shopping, games and fun for the whole family — all of it can be found this weekend at MayFest 2018 in Marble Falls, which continues to midnight Saturday at Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J in Marble Falls.

The MayFest Carnival is a large draw each year and brings out fans of people who love rolling, spinning, whirling, playing games of fun and chance and eating all of the great food on the midway. The fun at the Carnival begins at 5 p.m. and continues to midnight both Friday and Saturday nights.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Community leaders let their hair down for the 59th Annual Awards Banquet, themed “Get Down, Turn Around, Go to Town, Brew Scootin' Boogie!”

The event was a sell out and the Cadillac Dance Hall delivered with the music of Eddie Shell and the Not Guilties and their lead singer Bode Barker.

But the casual atmosphere and a banquet of barbecue did not diminish the pride the chamber took in recognizing the contributions of award winners, including Outstanding Citizen Guy Taylor and Lifetime Achievement Award winners Raymond and Tammy Cochran Whitman.

The Excellence in Public Service Award was presented to the Highland Lakes Pregnancy Resource Center of Marble Falls and Kingsland. Clay Cauble was named Innovator of the Year and Jeff Bingham, Ambassador of the Year.

Tickets to 59th Annual Awards Banquet sold out for the call from the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce to the “Get Down, Turn Around, Go to Town, Brew Scootin' Boogie!” celebration Saturday night.

So, count yourself lucky if you're on list to revel in another successful year with the supporters of Highland Lakes businesses and recognition of Outstanding Citizen, Lifetime Achievement, Community Service and Ambassador and Innovator of the Year.

It is a casual approach this year and guests got on board to dress business casual or country western for the music of Eddie Shell and the Not Guilties. The band promises the best in new and old country, blues and rock ‘n roll.

Doors open for the event at 5:30 p.m. at Cadillac Dance Hall, 1375 Farm to Market Road 1855, Marble Falls. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and dancing begins at 8:30 p.m.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The 26th annual LakeFest was a success on all fronts.

The roar of engines that echoes from Lake Marble Falls up and down the Highland Lakes on the second weekend of August each year has become familiar, but the attraction seems to grow.

“We saw more of everything,” said Patti Zinsmeyer, executive director of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, host of the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Races on Lake Marble Falls, Aug. 11-13.

“We saw more entries—112 this year. “We saw far more people. The Spectator crowds were bigger each day compared to past years. Lakeside Park was packed.

“We estimate, over the three days, there were more than 25,000 spectators. That is not counting all the families and crew members for the racers or people who watch from the bridge or homes or places like Riverview RV park on the south side of the lake.”

Richard Zowie

The Highlander

Bryan Sanders of Houston calls it as “quite a rush” and “hard to describe,” while Daryl Ehrlick of Round Rock says it is “terror and pleasure at the same time.”

Sanders and Ehrlick are drivers in the 2017 LakeFest Drag Boat Races, today through Sunday, Aug. 11-13,

the 26th year of the races. Both will be driving Top Fuel Hydroplane boats. Ehrlick’s is called “Problem Child.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Coffee with the Mayor drew more questions in the digital realm than actual takers for a free cup of Starbucks Feb. 10.

Since the informal chats with Marble Falls Mayor John Packer began last year, the coffee klatches have gone live on the Internet.

That may mean questions are a little more direct, but there was plenty of extra information gained.

“Well, 'When will Chick-fil-A open,' is the question I'm asked most often,” said Packer.

The answer to that—around the first of May—was shared with Christian Fletcher, executive director of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation.

Packer was more circumspect about the potential for a Panda Express for Marble Falls--“They have been looking at the area. However, he said work is set to begin soon on the new Burger King site on the southwest corner of the intersection of US 281 and Ranch to Market Road 1431.